The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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THE WOLVERINE 2022 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 121 They'll also be coming off a bye week, while Michigan will have just traveled back from Bloomington. 10. Michigan State — Third-year coach Mel Tucker is 2-0 against Michigan, and the Spartans have embraced beating their biggest rival. A team loaded up with potential impact transfers will have confidence entering the Halloween-weekend show- down at The Big House, while Michigan will be intent on exacting revenge for last year's controversial result. 11. Iowa — Michigan hasn't won in Iowa City since 2005, having lost the last four games at Kinnick Sta- dium, where the Hawkeyes are 25-8 over the last five seasons. Wolverine fans, still scarred from the 14-13 loss in 2016, will hope this one isn't played at night. The Hawkeyes, who have high expectations once again, were drubbed 42-3 by U-M in the Big Ten Championship Game and will look to turn their fortunes around in the divisional crossover matchup. 12. Ohio State — Behind an offense led by red- shirt sophomore quarterback and Heisman favorite C.J. Stroud, the Buckeyes have enough firepower to outscore anyone on their schedule. They're still hoping the de- fense is better under new coordinator Jim Knowles, who worked wonders at Oklahoma State, with loads of returning production. If Michigan wins in Columbus for the first time since 2000, it will beat an elite team and national title contender. — Clayton Sayfie 2022 Opponents In 1-131 Rankings Team Athlon Lindy's Avg. Ohio State 2 2 2 Michigan State 14 20 17 Penn State 25 27 26 Iowa 32 28 30 Nebraska 54 48 51 Maryland 58 49 53.5 Illinois 67 78 72.5 Indiana 82 71 76.5 Rutgers 81 74 77.5 Colorado State 86 94 90 Hawai'i 127 121 124 Connecticut 129 128 128.5 U-M Opponents On Preseason All-America Teams WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State — Athlon (1st team), Lindy's (1st team) OL Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State — Athlon (2nd team), Lindy's (1st team) QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State — Athlon (2nd team), Lindy's (1st team) LB Jack Campbell, Iowa — Athlon (1st team), Lindy's (2nd team) CB Riley Moss, Iowa — Athlon (1st team), Lindy's (2nd team) P Adam Korsak, Rutgers — Athlon (1st team), Lindy's (2nd team) OL Dawand Jones, Ohio State — Athlon (1st team) RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State — Athlon (2nd team), Lindy's (2nd team) DL Zach Harrison, Ohio State — Athlon (2nd team) CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State — Lindy's (2nd team) PR Jayden Reed, Michigan State — Athlon (2nd team) P Tory Taylor, Iowa — Athlon (2nd team) S J'Ayir Brown, Penn State — Athlon (3rd team) CB Denzel Burke, Ohio State — Athlon (3rd team) PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL PHOTO COURTESY PENN STATE ATHLETICS Opponent Position Groups Ranked Among The Nation's Best Athlon Sports ranks the best position groups nationally every year in its annual preseason magazine. Here's where U-M foes from the 2022 slate checked in: OHIO STATE No. 1 offensive line, No. 1 wide receivers, No. 2 quarterbacks, No. 2 running backs, No. 5 defensive backs, No. 8 defensive line, No. 8 linebackers IOWA No. 4 linebackers, No. 4 defensive backs PENN STATE No. 7 defensive backs Schedule Breakdown 2022 SP+ Returning Previous Opponent 2021 Record Ranking Starters (Out of 24) Opponent Colorado State 3-9 87 9 — Hawai'i 6-7 121 7 Western Kentucky Connecticut 1-11 129 19 Syracuse Maryland 7-6 47 13 SMU Iowa 10-4 27 18 Rutgers Indiana 2-10 72 11 Nebraska Penn State 7-6 13 12 Bye Michigan State 11-2 16 15 Bye Rutgers 5-8 78 13 Minnesota Nebraska 3-9 29 11 Minnesota Illinois 5-7 82 10 Purdue Ohio State 11-2 1 14 Maryland